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May 28, 2015 | 01:49

Who tops Forbes' female power pile?

For the fifth consecutive year, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has topped the list of Forbes 100 most powerful women. As Grace Pascoe reports the annual ranking saw a who's who of world leaders, business executives and Hollywood celebrities.

TRANSCRIPT +

Angela Merkel has taken the most powerful woman title for the fifth year in a row.
Money, media momentum, spheres of influence and impact are just some of the factors Forbes used to crown the German Chancellor number one for 2015.
Hilary Clinton, Melinda Gates, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and General Motors CEO Mary Barra were hot on her heels.
With both position and personality leading to power according to Gemma Godfrey from Brooks MacDonald.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF INVESTMENT STRATEGY AT BROOKS MACDONALD ASSET MANAGEMENT, GEMMA GODFREY, SAYING:
"Ultimately they get there because of their personality and because of their drive, their ambition and the skills that keeps them in that role. So I like to talk about it a bit more gender neutrally and I think that people that are on this power list it is because of their achievements that have got them to where they are and the position that they hold."
The top 100 women include heads of state, pop stars, entrepreneurs, CEOs, billionaire activists and philanthropists.
Facebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg is the youngest member of the top 10 aged 45.
Also in the top 10 are IMF head Christine Lagarde, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, YouTube CEO Susan Wokcicki and the U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF INVESTMENT STRATEGY AT BROOKS MACDONALD ASSET MANAGEMENT, GEMMA GODFREY, SAYING:
"It is quite interesting to look at what it takes to succeed and it really comes down to having the experience and the skill set to be able to get to where they want to get to and that drive and that ambition. But also at the same time it is quite interesting that they need to have a very strong support system."
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey is the top ranking billionaire at number 12 boasting a personal net worth of $3 billion.
Beyonce Knowles leads the entertainment world at number 21 and Vogue Editor Anna Wintour reigns over the media sector filling place 28.

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